How To Ride Any Drop Off On Your MTB | Mountain Bike Skills

Riding drops on your mountain bike can be a scary prospect! No two drops are the same either... they can vary in size, length, angle and shape and feel! However, there are only ever a handful of techniques for hitting drops, perfectly, every time and Neil's here to share his knowledge with you.
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Head out to your local trail centres and skills parks and find yourself a good drop to start on. Start small until you get your skills perfect and you're hitting the small stuff right every time before working your way up to the larger stuff!
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Leave us a comment below!

[@andersun16]

It never ceases to amaze me how confident I get here in my chair after watching you guys do drops. "Bring it on," I say! But when I get to the park it's a hard no!

[@harryhogan7787]

69 nice

[@dolphin-studio]

why not try I more confortable drop and then go up from there?

[@chrisfoster3772]

Watch it on the lift

[@stevenkilleen8149]

We all feel this way u just gotta send it tho only way to progress is too push yourself

[@ttruong225]

the no fingers on brake really works. I went from barely doing any jumps to clearing 10 ft jumps/table tops in 1-2 weeks. Still not doing gaps since room for error is too low, lol

[@andywall5049]

one thing I always tell people on something like this, and Ive not heard one instructional video even mention it, is that looking down a drop off etc, remember, your eyes are higher than your feet. You're only dropping from foot level yet people get scared and hesitate because they are using their eyes to judge height of the drop etc.

[@AaronCurtin]

That's such a good point 👍

[@tobygordon5442]

That's a great point

[@chrisfoster3772]

Well said andy

[@orangeapple681]

Yeah but if you fall your head travels that far 😅

[@SpinFastEA]

@orangeapple681 that's exactly what I thought when reading this 😂😂

[@richardmckernan7777]

Neil, if you watch your body position in the sequence from 3:35, you are doing a couple of other things before sliding your weight back; you are bringing your head forward and down (notice how much more bent your elbows are at 3:38 than 3:36)). This weights the front pre-drop and creates a bigger weight transfer for the slide back. In some ways this is the pre-drop ready position (more so the slower you are going) but not the ‘just riding along’ ready position. Perhaps worth more explanation?

[@jamreyn4579]

I would like to wish everyone safe riding!

[@Jacob99174]

Please, proceed with the wishing

[@eyeop3n1ng]

U2

[@belh_0032]

Thanks mate you too!

[@kay1975]

Same for you and all the riders aut there!

[@frthdo]

Can you do another update video with the camera man? like the one you did a few years ago, I found that really helpful you teaching someone else!

[@kieranrae]

Neil is by far the most helpful and relatable presenter on this channel. Blake is fun and Ashton is great, but these videos by Neil are brilliant.

[@davidkline4372]

I'm a yank living in Oregon and I've bought a few things for my MTB from Chain Reaction Cycles in the UK. Every time I read a product description or an article on its site I envision Neil is the one who wrote it and it's his voice I read it in... That's a compliment to Neil. excellent advice and love his delivery.

[@miket9396]

"Don't look down." For me that's key ... Did it with berms and could never ride them fast until I looked at the run out instead of the actual berm. I always look straight down on drops and it messes me up. This makes sense, great tip ... Testing out this weekend!!

[@ringothepup]

I find that particular drop quite intimidating and walked away from it recently despite being confident riding other much bigger drops. It looks so tame on this too! I think I'm going to have to go back and tick it off now! Cheers Neil

[@simonhealey7400]

Where is this drop? Forest of Dean?

[@philboynz]

Use the shopping trolly method. Think how you approach a kurb with a trolly, push your arms out as you hit a kurb and push your weight back over the back wheel 😉👍

[@James-dn1hu]

Been off the bike for three months and have another three to wait until new bike day and these videos are keeping me sain Thankyou. Although I’m not sure watching mtb content takes my mind of the fact I don’t currently own an mtb. 🤣

[@sebbennett333]

So glad you choose too demonstration this on the GBU drop. 👍

[@SoGoMTB]

Still watching, never too old.

[@michaelfleming4015]

Thank you, that was an excellent explanation. I’ve seen several by other presenters and that was the best.

[@ZackSavir]

Now this is the video I’ve been waiting for! I’m terrible at drops! Thanks for the video!

[@oliverbourne9599]

Anyone else gonna try that drop with a bike that's got the wheelbase of a POLE ............ top work that Neil

[@brendanadams1572]

Hi, thanks for this vid - I’m pretty new to MTB and have one drop-off that scares the hell out of me - the tips here really helped and now I’m doing it with ease :-)

[@piast99]

How about the drop offs that have quite steep run in? I really struggle on those. What is the proper technique on them? The problem for me is that you are already behind the bike and applying the brakes when you approach the drop off and there is not a lot of space to move even more behind. What I do is let the brakes off just before the drop off edge and jerk handlebars but I don't feel comfortable nor confident at all even on small drop offs with steep run in.

[@MK4vDubbin]

My advice would be to talk to other guys hitting that particular drop and ask them where the commitment point is in the run up, or the point where you need to be at speed and off of your brakes entirely. Once you know that most guys will be happy to tow you in or let you follow them off the drop which helps to gauge proper speed the first few times you hit it. Drop can be intimidating but they basically boil down to getting your speed correct and keeping your posture strong with your weight distributed evenly or slightly back. Be very careful about getting into the habit of pulling up off of drops. It causes a lot of people to loop out or overshoot and land flat.

[@lukesteele5013]

Same thing, compress pop push your front wheel forward and your good🤟

[@bahubacommon]

Even when the run in is steep, you should still be in the neutral/attack position as you approach the lip, and only then push the bike out/shift your weight back as your front wheel goes over the lip: kzbin.info/www/bejne/r5bbfaulnceiaZo

[@xeroblade012]

Lovin' the color of his Pole Stamina! Simple, clean...and that's about it.

[@aaron_jordaan]

I've noticed that drops are literally the easiest thing in mountain biking if you have an idea on what to do and you go fast the drop feels like nothing

[@James-dn1hu]

Drops are a peice of piss compared to jumps really

[@mitchbloxsom5695]

Yea I did big drops light years before I did equally as difficult jumps

[@Arthur-mh2uo]

Im the other way round I can do jumps much larger than drop offs

[@antreaskonstantinou8585]

@@Arthur-mh2uo same. I once failed a drop (before i knew how to ride that well) and now im terified of them.

[@hawkeyelikesbikes]

@@antreaskonstantinou8585 That's the thing, isn't it? Crashing seriously messes with your head. There's a gutter I hit a few weeks ago - came in too hot, got the timing all wrong, dropped the front wheel in instead of up and over, and went OTB. Now I'm too scared to bunny hop kerbs!

[@OscarHawkes]

I would love to know more about the landing part. What are some good things to keep in mind when bracing for a bigger impact upon landing?

[@adrideboeck3690]

I came across a drop-off, watched this video in the woods & nailed it afterwards. More or less :-)

[@richardjones2811]

Neil you've done it again! Mentioned the dropping of the heels and clearly not doing it 🙈You don't need to drop your heels when actually dropping off anything. Maybe after to assist with the brake power to the rear wheel but certainly not whilst dropping. If anything keep the pedals level whilst dropping off and drop your toes to match the landing gradient, certainly not the heels!

[@MissFluffies]

Good explanation on the “why”!

[@ericavdberg4871]

Thank you for your videos. I am going to try this this weekend with what obstacles I can find. This is one of my issues on the trials. Only new to the sport.

[@dangolfishin]

Crashed after a high drop (4') yesterday. Very tech lead in so hard to get speed and a flat landing. My weight was too far forward and I didn't have enough speed. I'm a bit banged up today but I'll go for it again soon

[@thomaswindsor9485]

Love this, same video, same location, same drops as a video about 2 years ago

[@mbal4052]

New viewers

[@thomaswindsor9485]

@@mbal4052 Yeah makes sense to all the newbies, not us old-timer though !!!

[@DeadsetYT]

Point it straight and be confident. :D Happy riding everyone!!

[@A.D.D.O.C.D.T]

😂🤙

[@scottdouglasshieldsnclmtab9950]

THAT'S WHAT SHE SAID !! 🤣😂🤣😂🤣😂🤣

[@rupedog]

Like these short form vids....easier to watch than the long 15m plus ones.... but more useful than those 3-4min ones

[@biopower5160]

Today im gonna buy My hardtail!

[@Ropetable]

sweet, what model?

[@biopower5160]

@@Ropetable its an dimondback sync'r pretty happy with it

[@A.D.D.O.C.D.T]

Enjoy mate 🔥

[@biopower5160]

@@A.D.D.O.C.D.T 👍🏼

[@fox_trotamus3556]

Happy riding

[@spaceiscool1236]

When I was riding fkr the first time in 4 years, I did a 6 foot drop... and wiped out but now even without this video I think I can conquer it but with this video I defo can

[@HUSHHUSH-]

Good reminder as got a project coming so that feeds in brilliant. Awesome explanation 🙌👌

[@mabecka]

If there's an edge like a root on the drop, a small bunnyhop is much safer than the weight shift method.

[@dirkg.950]

Nice Vid, remembered me of good old times of content and no commercials

[@oliverlegge2016]

Another really nice video with clear instruction. Thanks. BTW your frame is the most gorgeous thing I've ever seen!

[@samwilliams7191]

Great vid this one. Fantastic shots and want to say how well you always explain things 👏🏼👏🏼 Excellent

[@johnelbers7176]

Neil great breakdown now comes the courage to do it

[@AayanKhan-me3to]

Ok this actually helps me a whole lot. Thanks!

[@philiplasky6760]

Thanks it was very interesting to here your drop off video

[@untukgamessaja9394]

Well explained many thanks for this. I have a question about suspension setup. How do i know that i will not bottoming out if i see a big drop with flat landing and how to reduce the risk. Thank you

[@hermannoehlingcuesta114]

Thank you for this very good demonstration. I helped me a lot !

[@Moomin420]

I’ve been eyeing up this exact drop for over a year now.. think it’s just a headf*ck now! Need to get brave and get it done!

[@callum1967]

You got this m8!

[@mbretaynef9978]

SEND ITT

[@paw101]

Where is it?

[@simonhealey7400]

FoD... I blew my collarbone on this. Went in blind and didn't realise it was on a bend lol

[@ridelove13]

Maybe i can try now the 6m drop in my local bikepark😂

[@keaton4054]

Yee lmfao 😂😂👍

[@alyxndr0]

6 metres is 19 foot, that's literally over 3 times a 6ft human. you've got the wrong measurement

[@keaton4054]

@@alyxndr0 ye he probably meant to say 6 mile drop 😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@ridelove13]

Search for Bikepark Leogang drop

[@jamesbooth1860]

Dude your set just go for it, jk 😂

[@SamBaskettVLOGS]

Still prefer Dave’s HOW TO.... taught me everything I needed

[@oliverbourne9599]

..... a comment for those in the know 😄😄

[@Patat0four]

Wow, amazing, very impressive ! This massive mushroom cluster on the bottom of the rail is out of this world !

[@Thedoug369]

I usually just preload and yank up on the bars just as the front wheel is about to roll off, how hard you yank depends on the slope of the landing of course.

[@Kacavida11]

That drop look at first scary, so in the new year i wish us all some skills and courage, its all good until you stand in front of the edge and look down, anyway have a good one and God bless ;)

[@stuartj2773]

Hey, how about do a small pop? I found it also works well for drop.

[@zypher2001]

True true

[@mbretaynef9978]

Yep

[@meep6188]

Popping on a drop is a bad idea. All you really have to do is shift your weight back. Only time you'd pop is if you're going to slow to roll off the edge with the shifting technique

[@TheButlerNZ]

Neil... this must B one of the 1st times I've heard a presenter mention the 'shift back' vs 'push the bike forward' mindset. q8D As the world revolves around me, I'm a "bush the bike bike forward" brain... (I'm also semi ambidextrous so I is wired weird anyhooze. I also find on drops from 1ft to 3ft, all I need is the right speed, and a little preload of the front forks... and for 1ft drops, if I'm not trying to impress anyone, I push the front down AFTER the lip to get my front wheel down quickly... (being careful not to over extend the arms by beginning my body drop before the front leaves the lip, bringing m y chest down to the bars and then pushing away the front is airborne)... BUT... This works for me... and may not be good at all for others... and I'm a mediocre rider.. Joe Average (like my videos)... so give it a try,... but don't take it as gospel. I have found... (video project on hold waiting for summer to return...) that it is near effortless to do a 1m flat to flat drop with just a preload of the forks, centre weight, no pushing the bike forward... and a near flat landing... even less effort if the landing is downhill. (Tho I did find preloading the front forks often led to a natural push out of the bike as a bonus)

[@ChristopherChanCanada]

Thank you!! Your video helps a lot!

[@corkr900]

I can do drops smaller than about 6 feet of height but my big struggle with bigger drops is body position. When my legs are fully extended, I've basically run out of movement and am at the mercy of physics whereas if I'm in a more neutral position I can still change my body position to adjust my balance or landing position. Jumps, especially steep-faced jumps, make this easy because your handlebars are right up in your torso when you lose ground contact and that makes it easy to return to that neutral position until it's time to land. With drops, moving my weight back means I'm going into the air with my legs already almost fully extended and I feel like I don't really have a way to return to that neutral position without losing contact with my pedals

[@bauke-LV426]

nice one, that last drop-in 👍

[@GDub83]

I tend to do the manual/bunny hop method. Tho I ride on a bmx and it's a habit I think. I also try to keep my butt over my back wheel as much as I can so I can get my balance in check.

[@carlclarey4921]

Great videos guys and really helping my riding 👍😊

[@johnlever6696]

I did an 18 inch flat to flat drop yesterday. Looks hardly anything but it’s scary if you’ve never done it. It’s crazy how easily you can nose dive the front so if it was a big one you’d come unstuck.

[@charlie9ine]

I practiced and learned riding drop offs on a hard tail. I got pretty good, well okay. I got a full suspension bike, Kona Coiler and was amazed at how much easier it was on a full suspension bike. I don’t go off massive drops. I’d say 1 metre to flat is my extreme. My sister had back surgery last summer and my bike got stolen. I’m on a great new Cube Stereo but after a season of almost no riding I’ve found I’ve got a case of the “yipps”. I’m white knuckling the grips on little drops. Any ideas how I can get my confidence back? It’s really in my head. Thanks.

[@dacads]

Not surprised, also I guess anything too big you want enough fork travel to stop them bottoming out. Start small as they say then work your way up. Just have to go for it , hopefully wearing pads and a full face helmet can give you some extra confidence. Maybe some lessons ?

[@wetwebber]

New Neil drops video. The trail has a fence now.

[@Adrenaliving]

Not what I learned while on a private session. But I guess there are different techniques

[@masterlinkmtb9277]

Thanks for the tip. Happy New year!!!

[@mudia80]

What about a little pop off (american bunny hop) instead of moving to the rear? Tha advantege is you don't have to move yourself on bike so much (its easier) and don't have to return to the attack position (or whatever you call it) because you constantly are above bottom bracket. For short landing little pop, for long landing (possible gap) strong pop. Yes, the timing is important, but for moving to the rear is also important.

[@inkpenproductions3373]

How might the technique change for a drop without the sloping runout? I have a trouble spot at my local trail, only about a 5ft (1.5m?) drop, but its flat to flat, followed by a rock garden. I always lose my momentum on the drop and then struggle to roll smooth through. I'd like to be able to clear the whole thing without feet leaving pedals but I can't dial it in.

[@rupedog]

1:33 shows the 'push bike through' technique beautifully 👏👏👏 and its the easiest way to do drops imo. ....Push the Bike Through....

[@meep6188]

I think of it more as shift your weight back. Technically the same thing but I've seen some people actually try to push and push in the wrong way lol

[@migatron1]

I'm about to send it off of El Capitan

[@MK4vDubbin]

Stay strong in your riding posture and you should be fine.

[@jongjulee4165]

@@MK4vDubbin yep. All you need is confidence and speed, youll be down there in no time

[@Maxwaehrens]

@@jongjulee4165 You probably also need a parachute lol

[@nvillbeats]

Thanks for the tip!

[@Bondan46]

Very motivate for newbie like me to take big drop 😁😁..

[@tristanmcfee5238]

So I have a problem with braking because I start braking after I hit the drop too late so I have to much speed for the corner or feature after. There is this on drop that is simple I’ve hit it multiple times but there is a big rock behind the corner that I tend to barely miss most of the time but sometimes I hit it, the corner is sharp and flat usually dry any tips would be great.

[@ddsgardening7437]

Happy New year Neil ,looking forward to watching more of your excellent coaching vids Cheers Mate 🙏

[@xxxavierrr142]

Thanks for the tutorial I'm off to redbull rampage Cheers m8

[@oren2010T]

thank you for the great Video !!!

[@markozer0]

Very useful video! so you don’t suggest to do manual or poo up on suspensions but better to push the bar forward going back with body, isn’t it?

[@Yoda-em5mt]

Hey the Don having that CRAzy long pole makes anything seam possible.

[@daffbikes3619]

top video guys 👍 Really helpful tips

[@Emmettok]

Actually helpful

[@nicolegreen6497]

You’re 4th incase u didn’t know

[@youthinasia7]

I have to be honest. These videos are not making me safer. They make me want to send gnarly features lol. I love these guys

[@jerryvolpini7987]

What about high, steep drop offs? A local trail has a drop off of approx. 5m (15ft), that has a pretty steep incline. I am not confident taking it as a jump nor is there a long run-in to build up speed. So, it needs to be taken at slow speed and you have to ride it out. How do I drop-in to this type of feature? Maybe a video for this type of drop? Great video, always helpful and builds up confidence! 👍

[@mattgies]

That sounds like the "advanced" technique he mentions at the end, how you drop into a quarter pipe by picking up the rear wheel as you go over the coping..

[@jerryvolpini7987]

@@mattgies Agreed but I'm no 'advanced' rider 😆

[@vomErsten]

Watch some of the KZbin vids from @Rémy Métailler since he rides these types of features regularly.

[@schwantzrossi1266]

Good video thanks very helpful

[@SKBPM_ENIGMATIK]

Great clip & info!👌🏆

[@DuzBee]

This video format is much better than some others, where Blake tries to bring cheap gimmick comedy in to an instructional video. Keep it concise and informative. Don’t have time to sit through 5yr old style jokes.

[@SpeedKid117]

I love you Neil!!!

[@Lifebydeath]

It’s funny how intimidating they can be. I drop off extremely sketchy 7ft+ boulder drops but a 3 ft wooden drop always sketches me out more from past experiences even though they’re pretty easy in comparison 😂 telling people they need to learn to manual to drop certain things needs to be clarified because ALOT of people crash having that misconception they need to always do that and lose control

[@Pienimusta]

Close your eyes and Send It!

[@curtisf.r6233]

An when you open your eyes, you'll be in hospital💯

[@quadrant2012]

And you're starting on the very drop off at my local that I've yet to get confidence to hit

[@dominicmacdonald6911]

Are the techniques the same for both hardtails and full suspension bikes ?

[@PabloLorEst]

Also, don't pedal close to the drop! Make sure your weight is evenly distributed.

[@nedsled2994]

How do you do this with the seat at full height? often on trail I hit a drop and hardly have enough time to drop the seat, then I can't get back over the rear wheel. Like someone who does not have a drop post. If it's a trail I know and know the drop is coming it's less of an issue. Thanks

[@meep6188]

This video is much much better than your previous one with Chris Smith. Lol..

[@jasonh4709]

Excellent!

[@chrisibberson9742]

Biggest issue I have is getting my head around not being able to see the landing. I can roll off anything with a flat landing minute it’s a landing I can’t see I bottle it

[@gunjamed93]

same issue here ):

[@mbretaynef9978]

Just eye it up before and then you will know ;)

[@Larpy1933]

Thanks, MAN.

[@johngowans9406]

Do these skills also apply to ebikes which are of course much heavier?

[@lucamtb__]

I’m a teen just got a norco storm 2 for Christmas do you think I could do a big drop like 7 ft?

[@fatmexican6925]

maybe but try getting a fork with more travel

[@jddallager1699]

@@tonysadler5290 Tony nails it! Start small and work up.....no rush.....good form.....build confidence.....NOT a good time to go injured to the hospital and wait in line behind the COVID folks.

[@mattgies]

It's not about the bike, it's the rider. Sam Pilgrim could do that drop on a rusty garbage free bike. A total novice couldn't do it on the best bike in the world. Work your way up to it. Start by dropping off curbs and gradually work your way up in size, as Tony Sadler says. Seven vertical feet is going to be possible on that bike, but it'll take a whole lot of skill to do it without hurting yourself or the bike.

[@lucamtb__]

@@mattgies thanks I can do black diamond but not double blacks yet

[@mattgies]

@@lucamtb__ Cheers and safe riding!

[@harleycross4170]

And 2 minutes before I watch a video where they say “look over bars, and push the front wheel down”. Gotta love KZbin advice

[@equiusoceano8493]

drum & bass makes this so hype. track pls

[@andromache2104]

How about if it's a flat landing? Still same technique? Push the bike forward?

[@rolindajoyo7234]

I just want to ask if it is safe to jump drop or bunny hop on a budget mtb i bought xc idk if it is strong enough to handle impacts, just asking i am newbie

[@ninjatatt]

Very helpful 👌

[@AndiPicker]

I'm just starting to try to get my head around the local trail park and the drops that always get me are when there are a series of small holes on a trail, perhaps only 30cm or less each, but less than a metre apart so there's no sense of recovery between them - I feel like I can shift my weight/manual (admittedly poorly) for the first one, then I usually end-up just dropping into all the subsequent holes. Appreciate any advice.

[@droneboy1562]

Drop offs are scary, need to work on mine for sure

[@TCK71]

Excellent

[@jamesbowie1074]

Oh new video... yay